IQ4
IQ4 is a US-based Digital Talent Cloud platform offering AI-driven skills matching, DOL-aligned cybersecurity apprenticeship programs, and a credential-to-career Wallet for employers, universities, government workforce boards, and learners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What IQ4 does
IQ4 (iQ4 Corp.) is a US-based workforce and mobility platform founded in 2015 by Frank Cicio and headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. The company operates a Digital Talent Cloud Infrastructure Platform built around three integrated products: the Enterprise Skills Talent Platform for internal and external workforce acquisition and upskilling; the Academy Macro-Credential Program, which delivers 8-, 10-, and 12-week applied, mentor-led, cohort-based projects in cybersecurity, cloud, and IT (aligned to U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards and the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework); and the Achievement Wallet (also branded Workforce Skills Wallet and Cyber Wallet), a lifelong Learning and Employment Record (LER) that translates credentials into skills profiles, career pathways, and live job feeds. The platform is differentiated by AI/ML-driven skills matching and integration with the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) via Credential Engine's registry.
The company's go-to-market is hybrid: direct enterprise sales (with logos including T-Mobile, JPMorgan Chase, Citizens Bank, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Eli Lilly, Cigna, and Amazon), channel partnerships with universities (CUNY, University of Cincinnati, Saint Peter's, University of Washington, Clark University, Dakota State, Western Governors, Reach University), workforce development boards (Pikes Peak, MassHire Boston, Connecticut CyberHub), and certification bodies (CompTIA, EC-Council, (ISC)²), plus government and international engagements (Connecticut, Indiana, Colorado, Costa Rica/MICITT, Singapore/Asia FiiT). Revenue derives from multi-year enterprise platform licensing, Academy Macro-Credential program fees, DOL/state/IDB grant-funded program delivery (acting as a registered apprenticeship sponsor), and employer hiring fees in models like the Connecticut CyberHub.
The Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance (CWA) is a 4,100+-member industry-driven division of iQ4 that supplies role taxonomies, mentor networks, and project content; combined with 6,000+ cumulative students placed, 80%+ employer job-offer rates in flagship cohorts (T-Mobile/University of Washington, UC), a 78% CompTIA Security+/PenTest+ pass rate in Latin America, and three 2024 industry awards (1EdTech Power Learner Potential, ATD Excellence in Practice, Global EdTech Leadership), iQ4 positions itself as infrastructure for skills-based hiring and DOL-aligned apprenticeship pipelines. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, revenue, or institutional investors in the source data.
IQ4 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IQ4
- Legal name
- iQ4 Corp.
- Website
- https://iq4.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- IQ4 is a US-based Digital Talent Cloud platform offering AI-driven skills matching, DOL-aligned cybersecurity apprenticeship programs, and a credential-to-career Wallet for employers, universities, government workforce boards, and learners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IQ4 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development Software (Skills-based Talent Platform)
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Credentialing, Digital Badges & Micro-Credential Platforms (EDAFADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- IT, Software & Cybersecurity Training (EDAGANAF), Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), Workforce & Employability Analytics (Skills Inference, Career Pathing Outcomes) (EDAFAFAL)
Keywords
Where IQ4 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
IQ4 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Enterprise Platform Licensing: Enterprise Skills Talent Platform licensing for internal talent management and external candidate sourcing. Provides individual and company-wide skills data for upskilling and reskilling.
- Government Grants: Funding from Department of Labor grants, state government initiatives (Connecticut, Indiana, Colorado), and international programs (Costa Rica MICITT/IDB). Programs like $11M DoL ETA grant to University of Cincinnati.
- Academy Macro-Credential Program Fees: Revenue from workforce development training programs delivered to universities and employers. Programs include 8-12 week cybersecurity, cloud, and IT projects.
- Employer Hiring Fees: CT CyberHub model where employers pay a small hiring fee to sponsor student cohorts and select cybersecurity-credentialed students for hire.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enterprise Skills Talent Platform - custom enterprise pricing |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Academy Macro-Credential Programs - grant-funded |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
IQ4 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IQ4 sells an AI/Machine Learning-powered Digital Talent Cloud Infrastructure Platform comprising three integrated products: (1) the Enterprise Skills Talent Platform, which parses employee credentials into skills, identifies upskilling/reskilling gaps, and matches external candidates to employer needs; (2) the Academy Macro-Credential Program, offering 8–12-week mentor-led applied learning cohorts in cybersecurity and cloud aligned to U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards; and (3) the Achievement Wallet (also Workforce Skills Wallet / Cyber Wallet), a lifetime Learning and Employment Record that translates credentials into skills-based career pathways and live job feeds. The Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance (CWA), a 4,100+ member division, supplies industry-driven content and mentor networks that power these offerings.
Product overview
iQ4 operates as a Digital Talent Cloud Infrastructure Platform comprising three core integrated products: (1) the Enterprise Skills Talent Platform for internal and external workforce acquisition and upskilling; (2) the Academy Macro-Credential Program for 8–12-week mentored applied learning projects in cybersecurity and cloud technology; and (3) the Wallet (also branded as Achievement Wallet, Digital Wallet, Workforce Skills Wallet, and Cyber Wallet) serving as a lifelong Learning and Employment Record that translates credentials into skills, career pathways, and job matching. The Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance (CWA), a 4,100+ member division, provides industry-driven content and mentor networks that power the Academy and Wallet products. These products work together to form a complete skills-based learning and hiring ecosystem enabling discovery, development, and retention of workforce talent.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Enterprise Skills Talent Platform: Platform providing individual and company-wide skills data for employers to upskill and reskill internal staff, and identify potential external staff with needed skills.
- Academy Macro-Credential
- Achievement Wallet
Products and services
- iQ4 Enterprise Skills Talent Platform Internal and external talent acquisition and workforce development platform that parses employee credentials and interprets job experience into specific skills, identifies gaps for upskilling and reskilling, and provides succession pathways. The external application identifies potential new employees with skills matching employer needs. Sold to large enterprise customers on multi-year subscription contracts.
- iQ4 Academy Macro-Credential Program Workforce development training platform offering 8, 10, and 12-week projects in cybersecurity, cloud, and related fields. Combines technical training with applied, mentor-led, cohort-based learning using real-world cases and scenarios. Delivered as pre-apprenticeship or internship with job roles and 350–1,000 on-the-job training hours per U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards. Sold to universities, employers, and government workforce development boards.
- iQ4 Wallet (Achievement Wallet / Digital Wallet / Cyber Wallet / Workforce Skills Wallet) Lifetime career digital wallet that is part of a student's Learning and Employment Record (LER). Enables users to promote workplace skills, proficiencies, experience, education, credentials, and portfolio work. Provides career pathway recommendations matched to employers' skills-based hiring needs with live job feed by geographic preference. Integrates with Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) via Credential Engine for credential interoperability.
- Virtual Apprenticeship Challenge (VAC) Turnkey national registered apprenticeship program under U.S. Department of Labor auspices, designed to certify cybersecurity workers through a three-year initiative. Combines virtual mentorship, industry-driven standards from the NIST NICE framework, and employer-sponsored training. Backed by partners including T-Mobile, Citizens Bank, CUNY, Dakota State University, University of Greenwich (UK), and ISACA.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average cost savings of $125,000 per person compared to conventional recruitment
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use IQ4
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
IQ4 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
IQ4 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- EC-CouncilcoreEC-Council Academia integrated certifications (NDE, EHE, DFE) into iQ4's Cyber Wallet. Certifications mapped to NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. Partnership advances cybersecurity education beyond certifications with career pathway visualization.
- Western Governors UniversitystrategicSkillsFWD Rockefeller funding partnership to enable Employer LER expansion in Indiana. Focused on expanding Learning and Employment Records adoption.
- Cyber FloridastrategicPartnership to advance cybersecurity workforce development in Florida through CWA programs and initiatives.
- Reach UniversitystrategicPartnership with Reach University and Walmart to offer cybersecurity training for Military/Veteran/Spouses, National Guard, and High School JROTC participants.
- VitalSourcecorePartnership to launch 'Workforce Skills Wallet' bundling VitalSource's learning resources with iQ4's AI-driven Achievement Wallet. Enables learners to translate learning experiences into skills-based credentials and career pathways. Pilot launched September 2024 with Pikes Peak Workforce Center.
- Pikes Peak Workforce CenterstrategicPikes Peak Workforce Center pilot program providing Digital Wallets to 25,000+ Colorado job seekers through VitalSource and iQ4 partnership.
- Asia FiiTstrategicAsia FiiT and iQ4 partnership in Singapore for building digital skills-based workforce. Regional expansion of iQ4 platform in Asia-Pacific.
- Credential EnginecoreBusiness partnership accelerating use and adoption of digital credentials. Uses Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to translate credentials into workforce skills. Enables transparent, linked data exchange for learners, educators, and employers.
- University of WashingtoncorePartnership with T-Mobile for cybersecurity pre-apprenticeship through UW Center for Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. 200 students applied, 22 selected for two cohorts working on T-Mobile SOC use cases.
- Saint Peter's UniversitycoreFirst neurodiverse cybersecurity pre-apprenticeship program nationally. 200+ students completed program over 4 years. Courses run every semester as 3-credit offerings in Computer and Information Sciences curriculum.
- University of CincinnaticorePartnership for virtual apprenticeships in cybersecurity, cloud technology, and dark web. Placed 900+ students over three years through $11M DoL ETA grant. Programs run with 40-150 student cohorts.
- Government of Costa Rica (MICITT)strategicCosta Rica selected iQ4 for workforce modernization focusing on cybersecurity and cloud technology. Approved in Registry of International Providers by Ministry of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications. 250+ citizens to benefit from IDB-funded programs.
- SDG CorporationcoreSDG Corporation partnered with State of Connecticut and iQ4 on Connecticut CyberHub initiative. SDG is a global cybersecurity, identity governance, and risk consulting firm headquartered in Norwalk, CT.
- Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU)coreCSCU provides academic infrastructure for Connecticut CyberHub Initiative. Chancellor Terrence Cheng supports curriculum development and diversity initiatives in cybersecurity workforce training.
- T-MobilecoreT-Mobile partnered in Virtual Apprenticeship Challenge. Hired 15-20 students as apprentices leading to full-time SOC employment. 19 of 22 students (80%+) offered jobs after completing programs.
- Citizens BankstrategicEnterprise partner in Virtual Apprenticeship Challenge supporting cybersecurity workforce development through mentorship and apprenticeship programs.
- CUNY (City University of New York)corePartnership with multiple CUNY colleges (Brooklyn College, York College, Baruch College, Queens College, John Jay College) for cybersecurity macro-credential programs and virtual apprenticeships.
- Dakota State UniversitystrategicPartnership with SDAN (South Dakota Apprenticeship Network) to stand up approximately 100 apprenticeships/residencies over three years through virtual apprenticeship program.
- University of Greenwich (UK)strategicInternational university partnership in Virtual Apprenticeship Challenge expanding global reach of cybersecurity workforce development programs.
- ISACAstrategicStrategic backer of Virtual Apprenticeship Challenge providing industry recognition for CPE credits. ISACA NY Metro Chapter partnership increased student group participation across New York metropolitan area.
- NICE (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education)strategicNIST-based NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework integrated into iQ4 education and training programs as encouraged by America's Cybersecurity Workforce executive order.
- CompTIAcoreGlobal Business Partner providing CompTIA Security+ and PenTest+ certification materials and exams integrated into iQ4 macro-credential courses. 78% pass rate achieved in Latin America/Caribbean programs.
- Clark UniversitycoreDOL-funded TechBoost ($10M) and TechQuest ($12M) grants administered through Clark University School of Professional Studies and PCG Corporation. Targets 1,450+ students including veterans and unemployed workers.
- Public Consulting Group (PCG)corePCG administers DOL grants with Clark University for TechBoost and TechQuest workforce training programs in IT and cybersecurity.
- 1EdTech Consortiumstrategic1EdTech is a future-focused member organization where educational providers and technology companies collaborate to improve digital learning solutions. iQ4 won Power Learner Potential Organization Award from 1EdTech.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IQ4 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Degreed: Enterprise learning and skills development platform that maps skills, credentials, and learning content to employee career pathways. Closely comparable to iQ4's Enterprise Skills Talent Platform and Achievement Wallet on skills taxonomy, credential translation, and skills-based career pathing for large employers.
- Eightfold AI: Talent intelligence platform using AI to match skills to roles, support internal mobility, and identify external candidates. Directly competes with iQ4 on AI-driven skills matching and is increasingly targeting credential integration — a key adjacency to iQ4's LER/Wallet infrastructure.
- Credly: Pearson-owned digital credentialing platform that issues, verifies, and displays digital badges and micro-credentials. Directly comparable to iQ4's Achievement Wallet/Cyber Wallet in translating certifications (CompTIA, EC-Council, etc.) into portable skill credentials.
- Pluralsight: Technology skills training platform with deep cybersecurity and cloud content (formerly independent, now owned by Vista Equity). Directly competes with iQ4 Academy in delivering enterprise and individual cybersecurity/cloud upskilling, with overlapping employer buyer personas.
- Cybrary: Cybersecurity-specific training and professional development platform serving enterprise and government buyers. Closely comparable to iQ4 Academy on cybersecurity domain specialization, hands-on labs, and skills-based career pathway offerings for enterprise SOC teams.
- SANS Institute: Leading cybersecurity training and certification provider for professionals and government agencies. Comparable to iQ4 on cybersecurity training depth, certification alignment (e.g., GIAC), and government/enterprise buyer relationships, though SANS is more established and higher-priced.
Broad incumbents
- Workday: Enterprise cloud applications company with a Skills Cloud and talent management suite that overlaps iQ4's Enterprise Skills Talent Platform. Workday operates at much broader scope (HCM, finance) but increasingly targets skills-based hiring and credential integration as a strategic differentiator.
Emerging players
- Pymetrics (Harver): Skills-based assessment and matching platform (formerly Pymetrics, now part of Harver) targeting enterprise hiring and internal mobility. Comparable to iQ4 on skills inference and talent-job matching, with an emerging footprint adjacent to iQ4's Enterprise platform.
Others
- Credential Engine: Nonprofit that maintains the Credential Registry and CTDL standard iQ4 integrates against. While a partner rather than a competitor, Credential Engines' continued expansion into direct tooling represents a structural risk to iQ4's positioning as the reference implementation of CTDL-based credential infrastructure.
- Lightcast: Labor market analytics provider with a skills taxonomy widely used by workforce development boards and educational institutions. Adjacent to iQ4's skills taxonomy and employability analytics layer; potential partner or competitor depending on how Lightcast extends into downstream credentialing/matching tooling.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IQ4 social profiles
Digital presenceIQ4 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IQ4 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
IQ4 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IQ4 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IQ4
What does IQ4 do?
IQ4 sells an AI/Machine Learning-powered Digital Talent Cloud Infrastructure Platform comprising three integrated products: (1) the Enterprise Skills Talent Platform, which parses employee credentials into skills, identifies upskilling/reskilling gaps, and matches external candidates to employer needs; (2) the Academy Macro-Credential Program, offering 8–12-week mentor-led applied learning cohorts in cybersecurity and cloud aligned to U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards; and (3) the Achievement Wallet (also Workforce Skills Wallet / Cyber Wallet), a lifetime Learning and Employment Record that translates credentials into skills-based career pathways and live job feeds. The Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance (CWA), a 4,100+ member division, supplies industry-driven content and mentor networks that power these offerings.
Is IQ4 a public or private company?
IQ4 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was IQ4 founded?
IQ4 was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is IQ4 based?
IQ4 is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does IQ4 make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Enterprise Platform Licensing is the primary driver. The others are government Grants, academy Macro-Credential Program Fees and employer Hiring Fees.
Who are IQ4's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Degreed, Eightfold AI, Credly, Pluralsight, Cybrary and SANS Institute. Workday is listed as a broad incumbent. Pymetrics (Harver) is listed as an emerging player. Others are Credential Engine and Lightcast.
Does IQ4 have an API?
No public API is recorded for IQ4.
What industry is IQ4 in?
IQ4's product category is Workforce Development Software (Skills-based Talent Platform). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFADAF, Credentialing, Digital Badges & Micro-Credential Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAGANAF, IT, Software & Cybersecurity Training. Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 8200.